MWL chief discusses fatwa unity, youth guidance in London

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Islamic Center in London hosts a meeting between MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Islamic leaders from across the UK this week. (Supplied)
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Islamic Center in London hosts a meeting between MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Islamic leaders from across the UK this week. (Supplied)
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Islamic Center in London hosts a meeting between MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Islamic leaders from across the UK this week. (Supplied)
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Islamic Center in London hosts a meeting between MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Islamic leaders from across the UK this week. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 June 2025
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MWL chief discusses fatwa unity, youth guidance in London

  • Al-Issa highlighted the need for unified religious authority in issuing fatwas and public religious guidance
  • He announced that the MWL-affiliated Islamic Fiqh Council would soon hold a forum at the center to discuss the jurisprudence of Muslim communities

RIYADH: The Islamic Center in London hosted a meeting between Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and Islamic leaders from across the UK this week.

The discussion focused on the need for wisdom in guiding Muslim communities, especially in the face of provocation by extremists. Speakers stressed the importance of responding with calm and restraint, following the Prophet’s example of mercy and patience.

Al-Issa highlighted the need for unified religious authority in issuing fatwas and public religious guidance. He announced that the MWL-affiliated Islamic Fiqh Council — a leading body in Islamic jurisprudence — would soon hold a forum at the center to discuss the jurisprudence of Muslim communities.

The forum will also explore the creation of a reference framework for this jurisprudence, to be updated as needed. It will review training programs and initiatives in the UK aligned with the Charter of Makkah and propose its inclusion in Islamic education curricula.

Al-Issa emphasized protecting Muslim youth from extremist ideologies, noting the family’s role, the importance of balanced religious education, qualified teachers, and effective use of platforms such as sermons and lectures.

He praised the British Muslim community’s awareness and commitment, describing it as a positive example of Islamic values in a diverse society.

The meeting included questions and feedback, with attendees expressing support for the MWL’s global work. They welcomed Al-Issa’s visit, especially given the current context, and appreciated his approach to addressing Islamophobia.

Participants also backed the league’s efforts to unify local religious authority, citing its success in other minority communities.

They viewed this as a long-awaited step, and said that Al-Issa’s message strengthened trust in the MWL’s mission of promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, values rooted in Islamic teachings.


Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture

Updated 01 February 2026
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Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture

  • Research initiative reflects strategic transformation

JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.

The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.

Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.

The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.

All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.

The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.

It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.

The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.

In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.

This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.

Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.

He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.

Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.

Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.